Course Description: This course invites students to examine what is known, what is supposed, and what is imagined about arguably the most significant human being who ever lived, Jesus of Nazareth.  Although precious little is known about Jesus of Nazareth as an historical figure, testimonies about his life and its meanings have appeared in every generation, beginning with the early witnessing texts of the Christian Church (Gospels).  This course will examine the Gospel narratives and consider how modern biblical scholars have attempted to fashion an "historical Jesus."  But more than this is at stake.  The instructor holds that looking for or at Jesus is like looking down a well, for what looks back can easily be one's own reflection--or projection.  To make this point, the course will turn from quests for an historical Jesus to consider how Jesus provides a continuing spur to the imagination, and that the Jesus image has done so throughout the history of Western culture.   The influence of the Jesus story on the modern imagination will be considered, with particular attention being paid to literary and cinematic interpretations. By the end of the course, students will be acquainted with the Jesus portrayed as a sacred, even divine figure within Christian narrative and theological interpretation, and also with the Jesus who lives on in other contexts and interpretive frameworks:  the Marxist Jesus who is poor and a liberator; the "illegitimate" Jesus claimed by a feminist interpretation; a black Jesus; a sexually conscious Jesus; a hippie Jesus; Jesus as seen through the cultural lens of Japan and Africa.  The question to be considered in this examination of interpretations is this: do people see in Jesus only what they want to see? Can we ever claim to see in Jesus--or anyone else--something other than we want to see?

Required Books: The following books are required for the course and may be purchased in the Lehigh University Bookstore in Maginnes all.
Synopsis of the Four Gospels (English), ed. Kurt Aland
Jesus, Humphrey Carpenter
Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg
A Life of Jesus, Shusako Endo
The Gospel According to the Son, Norman Mailer

In addition, brief "selections on reserve" copies of the following will be made available as supplemental reading.  Selections will be taken from the following texts, which will be placed on reserve in the Department of Religion Studies "common room":
The Man Who Died, D. H. Lawrence
The Black Messiah,  Albert B. Cleague
The Sexuality of Jesus, William E. Phipps
Jesus the Jew, Geza Vermes
The Illegitimacy of Jesus, A Feminist Theological Interpretation, Jane Schaberg
Faces of Jesus in Africa, ed. Robert Schreiter
A Poor Man Called Jesus, José Cárdenas Pallares

Course Requirements: The course will be conducted as a seminar.  Students should be prepared for discussion each Monday class session, and participation in discussion and occasional in-class writing assignments will be expected.  Grades will be based on class participation and completion of in-class assignments (10% of grade); an in-class mid-term exam (25%), a take home final (50%); and three short papers on a topic assigned in class (15%).

Course Assignment Schedule: REL 297: JESUS

August 31
Introduction
The Jesus of History, The Christ of Faith
PBS: From Jesus to Christ, Part I (in- class)

September 7
Synopsis of Four Gospels:  Gospel of Mark
Pallares, "Structure of Mark's Account" (xerox)
Humphrey Carpenter, Jesus (1-20)
 PBS: From Jesus to Christ, Part II (in-class)

September 14
Synopsis of Four Gospels: Gospel of Luke
Humphrey Carpenter, Jesus 20-35
Jane Schaberg, "Luke's Account of Jesus' Origins," (xerox/reserve)
Film: Jesus (the most watched motion picture in history?)

September 21
Synopsis of Four Gospels: Gospel of Matthew
Humphrey Carpenter, Jesus: 36-69
Jane Schaberg, "Matthew's Account of Jesus' Origins," (xerox/reserve)
Geza Vermes, selection from Jesus the Jew (xerox/reserve)

September 28
Passolini's Gospel According to St. Matthew (in-class)
Humphrey Carpenter, Jesus 70-95

October 5 (Midterm)
Borg, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, 1-45
Efoé Julien Pénoukou, "Christology in the Village" (xerox-reserve)
Anne Nasimiyu-Wasike, "Christology and an African Woman's Experience" (xerox-
reserve)"

October 12 (Pacing Break)

October 19
Borg, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, 46-93
Endo, A Life of Jesus, 1-40.
Cécé Kolié, "Jesus as Healer"

October  26
Borg, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, 96-140
Why was Jesus single?  Readings on the celibacy debate (xerox-reserve)
Endo, A Life of Jesus, 40-88

November 2
Readings on Jesus and Feminism: Jesus' Sexuality and our Own
Endo, A Life of Jesus,  89-128.
Film:  Jesus Christ Superstar (in-class)

November 9
Endo, A Life of Jesus, 129-179.
Albert Cleague, "He Who is Not With Me": The Black Jesus
James Cone, "Jesus is Black" from God of the Oppressed
Mailer, The Gospel According to the Son: 1-125

November 16
Mailer, The Gospel According to the Son: 125-249
Film:  Jesus of Montreal (in-class)

November 23
Film: Last Temptation of Christ   (in-class)

November 30
D. H. Lawrence, "The Man Who Died"(reserve/xerox)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Religion Studies R.S. 68                                                                                Dr. Lloyd Steffen
Lehigh University--Spring 1998                                                                     110 Johnson Hall
Maginnes 480                                                                                                e-mail:  lhs1
Tuesday/Thursday 1:10-2:25                                                                          758-3877
(This syllabus available at www.lehigh/~incha/incha.)
 
 

Course Description:  This course in social ethics course will examine the roles of values in social systems through methods of inquiry used in the field of Religion Studies.  The systems to be examined include education, the economic system, criminal justice, and the issue to be explored will be how these systems aim at justice--and how and why they often fail to deliver it.  Particular attention will be paid to the problems of poverty, race, homelessness, domestic violence, societal values and value prioritizing.  The goals of the course are:

 --to provoke reflection on justice issues through critical literature, including some classic
   statements about justice as well as contemporary social commentary, scholarly
   resources,  practical "field" experiences, and encounter with representatives who
   work in the various fields we shall study;

--to challenge assumptions and biases not only about how ideas are formed, but how    knowledge and intellectual inquiry are themselves "constructed" in social systems
   and value communities;

--to provide students with the resources of an action reflection model, with modes for
  evaluating experience, and with resources to help build informed personal
   perspectives;

--to build intellectual, social and moral community among students, faculty, and    community persons;

--to provoke critical understanding of moral meaning  in light of cultural diversity,
  otherness, and the challenge of ethical relativism.

The course employs multi-disciplinary perspectives currently at use in the field of Religion Studies to approach the problem of practical justice, with psychology, sociology, philosophy, literature, and religious and philosophical ethics all contributing to the understanding of the role of justice in social systems.

     In addition, Lehigh University's Volunteer Coordinator in the Dean of Students Office, Ms. Julie DeMott, is available to help students secure placements.  Ms. DeMott's phone number is 85445, with the Community Service Desk number 4583;  her e-mail address is JUD2.  Consult as well the Community Service home page at Lehigh (check under "Find") or link through the Chaplain's Office.

Course Requirements:    Listed below are the requirements for the course:
 1.  Students will be required to set up a volunteer work opportunity with an agency or other service organization (3 hours a week is expectation of work assignment).  This must be accomplished by the third week of classes (by January 26).  Students who do not have a field assignment in place by that time should drop the course.

 2.  Students must complete the attached information sheet and then keep track of hours worked.  A supervisor at the work sight must initial the hours worked as verification and do so each week.  A sheet is attached to this syllabus for that purpose.  It must be used, signed by site supervisors, and be submitted by the end of class.  Instructor reserves the right to contact supervisors to check on student participation in the service site.

 3.  Students will be required to complete reading assignments, attend class and participate in discussions.

 4.  Regular quizzes, exams on reading materials\class discussions will be given.  The quizzes will be objective in nature, but some short answer or short essay will be given.

 5. Journals will be kept to reflect on issues discussed in class and in the community site workplace.  Journals should be kept on a computer file, so that when requested by instructor, students can run off a readable copy of journal.  Entries are to be dated and journals will be collected at least twice during semester, with May 1 being a date for final submission.
When an in-class exercise is given, the work sheet should be included in the journal.
Specific assignments, like attending an AA meeting, will be directed toward the journals and will be evaluated there.

In addition to placing all in-class worksheets in the journals, students are to make weekly entries, with an expectation of a minimum of 10 entries included.  Students are to report in journals on activities and offer reflections that may be of use for directing class discussion or further research.  A critical observation each week is to be entered concerning some value-related issue in the work- site or in response to readings or class discussion. Assignments will be given for particular topics presented  in the "action-reflection" mode.

Evaluation/Grading:  Grade will be determined by how well the student has met the requirements of the course.  In particular, the course grade will be based on the following:
 1.  Supervisor-initialed work sheets submitted by May 1.  This is a basic course
  requirement that must be met if grade is to be submitted:  30 hours is required.
 Any variation from this expectation must be discussed and approved by instructor.

 2.  Journals and assigned class discussion questions will count 25%.  Journals will be
   evaluated for completeness as well as general quality.

 3.  Average of grades received on in-class quizzes/exams:  75%.  Quizzes will include
  material discussed in class, so that attendance in class will be necessary for good
  performance on weekly exams.  Quizzes will be both announced and unannounced and
  may cover material for  the assigned reading of the class day.  Quizzes cannot be made
  up.  Instructor reserves the right to drop a lowest quiz in figuring grades.  Students may
  only be excused from a quiz they miss by presenting a note from the Dean of Students or
  a physician excusing the  absence.

Reading Assignments are attached to syllabus, but it is subject to change.  Changes will be up- dated on the course syllabus kept on the Chaplain's Office web page ("REL 68: Practical Justice.") The sheet should be followed, but occasionally, because of speakers or other issues, specific assignments will be given in class.

Reading materials indicated by "xerox" will be handed out or otherwise made available on reserve in Linderman Library, in the Religion Studies Department, or the Chaplain's Office.

Course Outline:  5 Sections

1.  Introduction; clarifying service learning as a mode of learning; working to find a "field placement; what does it mean  to encounter "otherness"?  The problem of "moral realtivism" and the problem of one world in light of cultural diversity.  (Discussion will focus on Chinua Achebe, Everything Falls Apart.)  Weeks: 1, 2, 3

2.  What is Justice and social and economic inequity?  How do we discern the problem of poverty and who is affected by it?  Commutative, distributive, and social justice; justice as a virtue; equality and fairness and their relation to justice. Weeks: 3, 4, 5
 Readings:  Edward Bellamy, Looking Backward;
 (xerox)  Plato, Republic; Aquinas (selection)
 (xerox) John Howard Yoder, "Jubilee Year" from The Politics of Jesus; M. L. King; 1968
   Roman Catholic Bishops' Pastoral Letter : Economic Justice for All, selections)
 (Xerox)Readings from de Koster, Poverty:  Opposing Viewpoints

3. The Problem of Race in America:  Readings to focus on W.E.B. Dubois, Souls of Black Folk and Cornel West, Race Matters.
 Weeks: 5, 6 (Pacing Break), 7, 8

4.   Criminal Justice Issues: Focus of Readings is Wendy Kaminer, It's All the Rage
 Wendy Kaminer will be on campus and available for discussion Thursday, April 2
 Weeks: 8, 9, (#10 Spring Break), 11
 

5.  Homelessness in America/Fatherlessness/Abuse: Reading to focus on  Michael Elliott, Why the Homeless Don't Have Homes and What to do about It Weeks: 11, 12, 13
 --Ralph Nunez, "Shelters Can Help the Homeless," in Tamara L. Roleff, ed., The
   Homeless: Opposing Viewpoints (San Diego:  Greenhaven Press, 1996.):  pp.
   114-120.
 --Doug Timmer, D. Stanley Eitzen & Kathryn D. Talley, "Shelters Can Harm the
   Homeless, in Tamara L. Roleff, ed., The Homeless: Opposing Viewpoints (San
   Diego:  Greenhaven Press, 1996.):  pp. 114-120.
 --David Blankenhorn, Fatherless America (selections)
 --Guest from either Turning Point or Center City Ministries

6.  Public Education in America:  Readings to focus on Jonathan Kozol, Savage Inequalities
 Weeks: 14, 15, 16

6.  Conclusion: The Problem of the Underclass:  readings from de Koster, Poverty:  Opposing Viewpoints (xerox). The sharing of reflection on the meaning of justice as a virtue and in social systems; insights shared about what attitudes have been challenged regarding the course topics; and the role of action in the educational process.  Week:  17

Student Name:_______________________________________________________

E-Mail Address:_________                                           Phone #________________

Name of Agency or Work Site for Service Learning Component:

______________________________________________________________________
 

Address of Agency/Work Site:__________________________________________

                                            _________________________________ _______
 

Phone Number of Agency/Work Site:_______________________

Are you using private transportation, public transportation, or can you walk  to get to this work site?________________

Director at Agency ____________________________________________

Name of Supervisor at Volunteer Site:_____________________________________

Has your supervisor been informed of the connection of this volunteer service with the class you are taking?
 

Does the Supervisor understand that he or she must verify hours worked per week on the time sheet you will provide?
Yes:________ (check)

Please have supervisor sign this agreement:________________________________date:____
 

It is understood that Professor Steffen may contact this supervisor to check on student effort.

Student signature______________________________________date:________________

This form--signed and completed--must be returned by January 26, 1997. Time Sheet Forms:  Students are required to work minimum of 3 hours per week at a volunteer site:  If already at a site, you may fill in hours beginning January 13. Hours must be entered beginning week of January 26.

Assignment Schedule: Practical Justice, R.S. 68
 

January 13: Introduction to course                               March 10: West 103-159

January 15: Achebe, 3-62                                            March 12: Kaminer, 1-50
             Harvest of Shame/video
                                                                                   March 17: Spring Break
January 20: Achebe, 62-109
                                                                                   March 19: Spring Break
January 22: Achebe, 109-161
                                                                                   March 24: Kaminer,  51-90
January 27: Achebe, 161-209
     Ethical/cultural relativism discussion                          March 26: Kaminer, 90-153

January 29: Bellamy, 1-31                                            March 31: Kaminer, 240-266
                                                                                    Blankenhorn: Fatherless in America  (p.42-48)
February 3: Bellamy, 31-85
     (xerox) Yoder                                                         April 2: Elliott, xi-29
                                                                                      (xerox) The Homeless, 86-100; 121-127
February 5: Bellamy, 85-119
    (xerox) U.S. Bishops Pastoral Letter/select              April 7: Elliott, 30-75

February 10: Bellamy, 119-165                                   April 9: no class, Easter Break
     (xerox) Aquinas
                                                                                   April 14: Elliott, 77-111
February 12: du Bois, vii-xxv; 1-31                              (xerox) The Homeless, 192-207
     (xerox) Race Relations, 74-82                                 (xerox) The Homeless, 74-85

February 17: no class, Pacing Break                           April 16: Kozol, 1-39
                                                                                  (xerox) Social Justice, 233-241
February 19: du Bois, 31-94
     (xerox) Race Relations, 82-87                              April 21: Kozol, 83-132

February 24: du Bois, 94-152                                   April 23: Kozol, 133-174
     (xerox) Race Relations, 29-35                              (xerox) Social Justice, 242-247

February 26: du Bois, 152-189                               April 28: Kozol, 206-233
     (xerox) Race Relations, 35-42                              (xerox) Poverty, 190-202

March 3: West, 1-49                                                 April 30: (xerox) Poverty, 203-224

March 5: West, 51-99
     (xerox) Race Relations, 135-144

Service Site List: Below is a list of service sites in the Bethlehem community, most within walking distance of the Lehigh University Campus, that are recommended to you as you proceed to meet the "service" component of R. S. 68. This is not an comprehensive list of all opportunities available, but one that is designed specifically for Lehigh students in this course. If you plan an activity with an organization in the community not on this list, you should discuss this with the instructor.

Agencies below were given preference because of their proximity to campus, or because they have recently expressed interest in hosting Lehigh students. For most current volunteer opportunities check out the volunteer computer bulletin board on the network server. To access this board type "volunteer" at the main LUNA menu. Brochures or additional information about all of the organizations listed in this packet can be obtained from the Community Service Center located in the Ulrich Center Student Activities room or by contacting the staff at our e-mail address incsd@lehigh.edu or by phone at 758-4583. The Center is open 12:00-5:00 pm weekdays.

Other materials available upon request from the Community Service Program Coordinator: Julie De Motte, Telephone: 610-758-5445; FAX: 610-758-5940; E-mail: jud2@lehigh.edu

Indicates group activities available

* Indicates that transportation is needed

1. Child Care/Supervision:

A Safe Start is a program run by the Fritz Memorial United Methodist Church at 303 W. Packer Ave. They need students to play games and "hang out" with elementary children before school. Volunteers needed 8:00 - 9:15 am weekdays (866-1515).

Head Start needs volunteers to help with 3-4 year old children in a free day care center for low-income children. There are two classes with about 20 children each located at St. Peter's Church across from Maginnes Hall. The classes are in session from 8:00 am until 2:30 pm. An orientation meeting is required but hours are extremely flexible and students can start at any time. Group opportunities are also available, particularly 1 hour recreation sessions (Mary Loungo at 691-1819 Ext. 58).

2. Tutoring and Mentoring:

Boys and Girls Club (Fritz Dr. location)* needs volunteers for after school and early evening tutoring sessions with children from elementary through high school (865-4241).

Holy Infancy is a school for K-8th graders looking for volunteers to tutor throughout the day
and in their After Care Program. School hours run 8:30-3:00 and the after school
program is 3:00-5:30. The first hour of the after school program is tutoring and the rest
is recreation (Sister Joyce at 868-2621).

St. Cyril School needs volunteers during the school day to assist children in grades k-8th who are
struggling in a variety of subjects. School day is 9:00 am - 3:45 pm (866-0042).

Salvation Army After School Tutoring needs volunteers to tutor elementary school children
5:00 - 6:00 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays. A training session is mandatory (activities and
transportation planned through the Community Service Center contact x84583).

Special Olympics needs volunteers to coach mentally challenged athletes in 17 different sports and to work at special events. Sports include swimming, gymnastics, bowling, skiing etc. Hours needed vary with sport. The organization is willing to transport interested volunteers to activities if needed (Office 954-0935 or Joan Decker at 758-5427).

South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center needs volunteers for middle school children on Mondays and Wednesdays 5-7 pm (activities and transportation planned through the Community Service Center contact x84583).

STAR Program, run through the Lehigh Provost Office, needs students to volunteer in a mentoring/tutoring program which works with students at Broughal middle school. STAR participants meet as a group for various projects on alternating Saturdays. Students must submit an application at the beginning of the academic year. (Henry Odi at x84802).

Summerbridge is a long term mentoring/tutoring program working at the Broughal middle school and other local schools. This is a weekly commitment for after school (3:00 pm) tutoring sessions. Ultimately, the program is set up so that volunteers tutor the same students and form mentoring relationships. The program prefers students to begin at the start of the semester (865-8072).

South Bethlehem Schools: Help is needed in tutoring at Fountain Hill Elementary, Donegan
Elementary, and Broughal Middle School.

3. Children's Centers/Organizations:

Centennial School* is a facility is run in part by Lehigh University College of Education. Children who are either disruptive or have special needs are transferred to this school from the various local districts. There are a variety of needs at this school from tutoring to computer monitoring of the Internet. Opportunity for internships (266-6500 or e-mail insch@lehigh.edu).

Boys & Girls Club (Fritz Dr. or 4th St. site) need volunteers for their after school programs at both sites in Bethlehem, running from 3:00-10:00 pm Tuesday- Friday. Tutoring occurs in the early evening, recreation for the rest of the time. Opportunities for groups and individuals to "hang out", play basketball, and help run special programs.  (Fritz St.* 865-4341 or 4th St. 865-5141).

Easter Seals provides various opportunities for groups projects (telethon and crazy Olympics) also opportunity for individuals to give disability awareness programs for children. Some training is involved - students then go in groups of 2-3 to local elementary schools with a program including accessories for the children to try (child sized wheel chairs, walkers, etc.). (Activities and transportation provided through the Community Service Center - x84583).

Girls Inc.* is a center which provides after school and weekend activities for girls from k-12th grades. Groups or individual can plan their own projects or help out with scheduled events (866-7906).

Girl Scouts of the Lehigh Valley needs volunteers to act as assistant troop leaders - training available but not mandated. Volunteers can work with either troops (Brownies or Girl Scouts) or with groups (mixed ages). The groups tend to be in more need of additional support, many of these girls are also Hispanic and Latino so some Spanish is a plus. There are meetings immediately after school (usually 3:00 or 3:30) and in the evenings. Commitment level can be one meeting a week or one time events. This group is also looking for clubs or individuals with special interest/talents who might be willing to present to a group (791-2411).

South Bethlehem Neighborhood Center* is located in the Lynfield housing project and it offers after school and evening programs. There also need for assistance for special events (865-2791).

4. Health Care:

AIDS Outreach* needs volunteers to provide physical and emotional support of HIV/AIDS infected persons and their families. Commitment to this program must be extensive and may be more appropriate for internships (435-8482).

Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center*(15 min) gives volunteers hands-on opportunities in the family health clinic, OR, and ER. Students are asked to give 3-4 hours a week for entire semester. An orientation will be held on campus at the beginning of the semester at which time car pooling can be arranged (For next orientation meeting contact the Community Service Center at x84583).

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Center* is a home for severely disabled adults. There are opportunities for individuals to work as aids to physical and occupational therapists. Also, the facility can use help in transportation of residents for regular events and for holiday parties (776-3125).

Latino AIDS Outreach is a program of the Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations of the Lehigh Valley. It works primarily with individuals in the Latino community who have tested positive for the HIV virus. They also provide education and awareness to the Spanish speaking community at large. Volunteers are needed at special events and there is always a need for personal care items (861-6845).

Planned Parenthood is a center which provides family planning services and gynecological exams. Volunteers needed to help screen patients and manage lab slips. Requires extensive training and larger commitment, internship opportunities (694-0642).

St. Luke's Hospital needs volunteers to work in a wide range of hospital activities. There is a mandatory orientation meeting with additional training required later. Students must commit to at least 30 hours in any given semester (Contact the Community Service Center for next meeting).

5. Environment:

City of Bethlehem Recycling Program* needs volunteers to work in the center helping residents
to recycle their refuse properly. Commitment level is flexible and the center is open 10:00
a.m. - 5:00 pm weekdays and some hours on weekends (865-7082).

Wildlands Conservancy* needs volunteers for stream walks, water gravity testing and
monitoring, sketch and map-making, photography, and library research (965-4397).

6. Homelessness/Poverty/Hunger:

Better Buy Boutique is a store is run through New Bethany Ministries on the corner of 3rd and Wyandotte streets. Volunteers are needed to run the shop on Saturdays 9:30-11:30. They are also looking for donations of clothing in good condition.

Center City Ministries needs workers for preparing and cleaning up after meals served in the center. Volunteers are also need for the hospitality shift 7:00-10:00 pm which encompasses answering phones welcoming and socializing with guests (691-3373).

New Bethany Ministries needs volunteers for painting and cleaning projects, children's activities, GED tutoring for adults (691-5602).

Habitat for Humanity* provides support to low income families who have purchased and are attempting to renovate their own home. Habitat also builds some new structures. This is an excellent opportunity for groups for a one day event, however, it may take Habitat several months to schedule sites. Groups interested in doing projects need to contact the agency several months in advance (776-7737).

Second Harvest Food Bank* needs groups to help sort donations to be distributed to food pantries throughout the Lehigh Valley (Tammy Walker Hobar 434-0875).

7. Senior Citizens:

Adopt-a-grandparent at the Cedarbrook annex is a weekly program run by the Community Service staff which matches students with "grandparents" (x84583). A similar program is also run through the Lehigh Newman Center (x84148).

The following organizations have opportunities for groups and individuals to help out with transportation, special events, visitation. Musical and other performance groups are also welcome.

Cedarbrook Nursing Home Fountain Hill annex* (691-6700)

Holy Family Manor* (865-5595 ext. 122) (Special relationship with Lehigh.)

Kirkland Village* (691-4500)

Westminister Village* (434-6245)

8. Criminal Justice:

Crime Victims Council* needs volunteers to work a 24 hour hotline for victims of violence (extensive training required - internship opportunity). They also have occasional group projects, such as assembling Kid Kits for children waiting in hospitals (437-6610).

District Court: Judge Nancy Matos-Gonzolas was able to use one student last year as an intern
to help out over the course of the semester.

Northampton County Jail*: Opportunities available, but transportation needed to Easton. See
Dr. Steffen or Julie De Mott for more information.